3 - You barely know him

'He is joking right?' Susan studied Andrew's facial expression as she went on to infer. 'No, he looks serious.'

“Why do you want to stay?” She asked curiously.

Andrew didn't know how to explain it to her. It was too early to know exactly what he wanted but for now, he needed a new place after being kicked out of the previous one.

"It's not what you think. I'm homeless at the moment and just need a place for a few days till I get a job. It’s a sad thing that no one wants to befriend a poor man."

Susan shook her head a little remorsed, the corner of her lips forming a smirk. "What kind of job do you want?" She was hoping that he would mention something in line with marketing, finance or anything in relation to her knowledge, but was thrown off-guard by his answer.

"I don't have any qualifications so perhaps, cleaning, washing, ironing and cooking?" Susan’s brows knitted together and he realized that she didn't believe a word he was saying and stopped. He tried to hold her hand but she moved it swiftly.

Disappointed, he pressed his lips together thoughtfully, and said, "look you can let me stay here in exchange for doing those chores for you," he suggested, his eyes pleading. He didn’t know how best to convince her without sounding ridiculous and stupid.

Susan wasn't a fool and could feel that Andrew was lying to her. It made her upset. He was no different. All men were the same. Their lies and games couldn't be done away with. Besides, how could she live with such an attractive man under the same roof? "I don't need anyone to do my chores. I'm sorry, you have to leave now."

Disappointment slashed his eyes. He had nothing more to say and it wasn't in his nature to argue. "Ok."

He stood up, picked up his backpack behind the furniture, brought out a plain white t-shirt and pulled it on. Susan looked away as he put his clothes on but her thoughts were mashed up. When they came together last night, Andrew wasn't carrying a backpack so where did it come from? Before he reached the door, she chased and caught him by the arm.

"Wait, how did that get here?" She asked, pointing to the backpack.

Andrews' warm demeanor had suddenly turned cold, the sudden change frightening. "It doesn't matter, goodbye."

She winced, as watched him leave with complicated emotions. She really hurt his feelings. She stood rooted at the door for a while before she went to change. When she was done, she came out, greeted her neighbours, and then went to meet Amelia and Charlotte.

Charlotte was in Amelia's house, helping her with a fashion project for work on Monday. Susan stiffened at the sight of pieces of fabrics scattered on the floor. Amelia hadn't perfected her sowing skills and it was a miracle that she got the job.

Now, it was time to prove herself worthwhile and defend her position. Charlotte was a good designer but wasn't good with sowing.

Going around the corner, Susan picked a broom and began to sweep. Amelia didn't react. She understood Susan's neatness and had gotten used to it though it felt insulting but Charlotte was irritated. "You will have to sweep a lot more, Susan, we aren't close to finishing yet."

Susan was calm. She just couldn't help it, which was why she didn't visit her friends much. They spoke more on the phone but she needed someone to talk to or she might go crazy. "I know, I will continue sweeping till I leave but do you have to keep that vase there like that?"

She pointed to a vase on the dining table, which had shifted to the side and looked unattended to for some time.

"Susan, this is Amelia's house. She can keep things wherever she likes," Charlotte retorted with irritation in her voice. Susan smiled and went back to her sweeping while she chuckled, "Sorry."

Charlotte was remorsed. She knew that Susan had always been like this so why couldn't she put up with it as usual? It wasn't as if they were going to be living together or anything. "Susan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

"I know. Do you think I need help? I can't stand seeing things scattered," Susan pitifully said. Even her parents couldn't endure it, which was why she moved out quite early.

"No, you can't stand a little dirt. Anyway, did you do it?" Charlotte asked while she marked a spot on the dress that needed a little trim. She wanted to call to find out how things went but Amelia had called to invite her over for this.

"What?" Susan was confused. She was still thinking about her neatness disorder.

"Last night, I mean," Charlotte reminded her. A blush reddened her cheeks, followed by a soft smile.

"Oh, that, yes we did," she truthfully said. Amelia was shocked. Susan kept her virginity when she was in a relationship but gave it to a total stranger. She was expecting Susan to inform them about a change of plan but not confirm that it happened as planned.

Charlotte was even more curious. If Susan allowed a man into her house and all that happened, then her attitude should scare the man away, first thing in the morning. "So how was it? And I guess he run off."

Susan maintained her soft smile, clutching tightly to the broom. "It was great but he didn't run off. He rather made me breakfast."

Charlotte was stunned, moving slightly away from Amelia and giving Susan her full attention. "And you ate?" She asked, amazed. Susan never ate a home-cooked meal from either of her friends. Cutlery falling on the floor or milk spilt on the kitchen counter or utensils placed just anyhow would make her lose her appetite.

"Yes, he's a neat guy. He even wanted to stay but I sent him away," her voice saddened at the end of her statement.

"That's a good thing. You barely know him." Charlotte was relieved. She was scared that Susan would fall in love again and end up with another heartbreak. It hurt her to see Susan in pain. Her heart was so fragile and she always fell in love quickly, trusting with her wholeheartedly. It was bad that she would never see the signs no matter how glaring it was till the painful truth broke her.

Susan couldn't rejoice at the compliment, and couldn't get him out of her mind, wondering if he needed help. She was just afraid of getting her heart entangled again because the attraction between them was too much even at first sight and the sex was splendid. How could she keep such a man in her house?

"Yeah but I still feel guilty. He's homeless and I forgot to ask about his parents. He wanted to stay in exchange for doing chores for me but I said no," she pursed her lips and wiped a tear. What if he was another Xavier? He wasn't worth her tears. It was better to let go before it started.

Charlotte was even more impressed. She wasn't surprised that the guy didn't want to leave. Susan had a wonderful personality and a great body. She sometimes pulled her legs when her germaphobe kicked in, in the hope to help her change but it never worked, only making Susan saddened or depressed just like earlier.

"You wised up after all. They just come and go," she stood up, took the broom from Susan and hugged her, leading her to the coach afterwards.

"Susan, I think you should do what your heart tells you. Don't let him pay for your exes' mistakes. He's not them." Amelia who had been an ardent listener all this while finally voiced up. She wasn't talkative but her words always had a great impact on Susan. This was the only man who had slept over in Susans' house without waking any abnormalities in her. Even if he was homeless, he should be helped.

Charlotte was quick to debunk Amelia's words, being the talker. "Amelia, I disagree with you."

"Charlotte, this is the only guy she has ever slept with. He is also the only one who can stand the neatness shit that even you and I can't endure," she raised her voice slightly, with a weight of authority and said to Charlotte, before turning to face Susan.

"Susan, give it a try. He looks responsible. Help him get a job and who knows, it might grow into something," she shrugged. Her boyfriend was jobless when they met but now, he had a respectable job even though there are a few challenges here and there but it was unlike her to give up.

"Too late for that. He already left and I don't have his contact," Susan smiled and said. He was just like the wind. His presence was felt but not any more yet she couldn't say that her heart was free. It was rather heavy. And the way he spoke to her before leaving, seemed like he gave up on her.

"Then how about we go back to the club tonight?" Amelia had taken things personally and wouldn't give up.

"I'll think about it. How are Jason and Pete?" Susan said and asked. Amelias' words only increased her guilt and she wanted to escape from it all. Jason was Amelia's boyfriend and Pete was Charlottes'.

"Jason is still struggling with his job. There are just so many haters around him but he will be fine," Amelia said with a smile.

"Pete is fine," Charlotte smiled but it was a rather bitter one. However, no one asked what the matter was. Charlotte was a chatterbox. If she wanted them to know, no one would have to ask. Seeing her reluctance to let it out, Susan turned to the fabric on the table.

"How do I help? The design is coming out nice," she complimented.

"You think so?" Amelia asked. She wasn't certain about it yet. The three friends worked through the design till night fell, only stopping for lunch but, Susan only had a little snack, which was a factory-made biscuit. No one judged her this time.

She returned home at night but she didn't expect to see Andrew sitting on the floor of the pavement outside her apartment, shivering from the cold with his backpack by his side. Her heart sunk and she didn't know what to do but one thing was sure. Andrew was either going to make or hurt her badly.

She stopped the car in front of him and their eyes met. "What do you want?" She asked him. Her voice was neither cold nor warm. Again, she patiently waited for his response.